When it comes to feeding his customers, Julian Cordova doesn’t let anyone leave his restaurant hungry. As the owner of The Original Chubby’s in Thornton and Denver, Cordova doesn’t think of his customers as people paying a buck, but as his friends.

“The best part of my job is dealing with the customers,” he said. “I love to talk to them and see how they are doing. I go to their weddings and funerals. They become like friends to me.”

Soon Cordova will bring his Mexican food back to Westminster with the re-opening of The Original Chubby’s in the LaConte Shopping Center at 72nd Avenue and Federal Boulevard.

The restaurant was first opened in Westminster in 1993, but closed in 2005. The restaurant will open in the same exact building as before.

“The owners of the shopping center called me and wanted to know if we wanted it back and I said, ‘Yes, let’s do it,’” Cordova said.

“It’s a good spot and I already have people telling me they’re excited for me to come back.”

Pat LaConte, owner the LaConte’s Shopping Center, is excited about the return of Chubby’s.

He said the location has been updated in anticipation of Cordova’s return.

“Chubby’s will be a wonderful addition to the center and to the city,” he said. “Julian will do a great job. He’s just got it dialed in.”

When it comes to cooking, Cordova learned everything he knows from his grandmother Stella Cordova, an experience he says he wouldn’t trade for anything. He was raised in the restaurant business and once he was old enough to work, Stella put her grandson to work.

“I learned everything from cooking to cashiering. I managed her restaurant until I was able to get my own,” he said.

“Having the experiences with my grandmother was beautiful. If I could do it all over again, I would.”

Cordova plans to have the restaurant open in Westminster, at 7310 N. Federal Blvd., in a couple months. For more information, visit www.ilovechubbys.com.